Police: Heroin, $5K found in Charleroi home
A Charleroi man faces charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver after police reported finding heroin with an estimated street value of $15,000 in the home where he was staying.
Shawn L. Patterson, 29, was taken into custody by Washington County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force detectives on an arrest warrant stemming from charges in Westmoreland County.
During the course of an ongoing narcotics investigation, Patterson was found at 101 Luella Ave., Charleroi. Police said Patterson consented to a search of the residence. Seized during the search were 30 bricks of heroin containing 1,500 stamp bags of the suspected drug, police said. Also confiscated was $5,586.
Rick Gluth, task force director, said the investigation is continuing, and he could not provide many details of the case.
“He is a suspect in heroin distribution in Charleroi,” Gluth said Friday. “I consider him a mid-level dealer.”
Gluth also believes that Patterson was staying at different residences in Charleroi. He estimated the street value of the heroin at $15,000 because the average price for a stamp bag of heroin is about $10.
Patterson was arraigned Friday before District Judge Charles Christner in West Newton on charges of flight to avoid apprehension, disorderly conduct and driving under suspension. The charges were filed by West Newton police in connection with a Feb. 3, 2012, incident. Patterson was placed in Westmoreland County Jail on $10,000 bond.
Gluth said the task force will file the drug charges against Patterson later.
Assisting in the arrest were officers from Charleroi Regional, Carroll Township, Monongahela and state police.